Becoming a Fashion Photographer is many people’s dream. However, there are two ways of getting a career as a Fashion Photographer started. You can submit your Portfolio of work directly to a Fashion Magazine and/or Commercial Office (or to the makers of the brand in question), or you can go for a safer bet and get a Photo Agent. They work to sell your work and get you more work. The benefit of this is mainly two things ? it saves the Fashion Photographer time, and it is a definite way of getting respect as a Fashion Photographer, especially when not personally recommended directly to the Magazine or Brand in question. At times, Fashion Photographers that are new can end up with very low pay or no pay at all, and the Photo Agents can prevent this issue.
Another way to display yourself as a Fashion Photographer is to get a web-page, gallery showing and hand out business cards at every event or shoot you attend. Be brief in introducing yourself, and mingle with class and a business like fashion even if it’s easy to get carried away by all the Art and the Industry conversations.
When a beginner Fashion Photographer, who doesn’t have recommendations, contacts Fashion Magazines, Commercial Work Places or a Brand’s Main Office, you need to find the listing of ?whom to concern? on their web page. Attach a brief cover letter to show interest, such as introducing yourself as a Fashion Photographer, and your goal/interest as a Fashion Photographer with the company you are contacting and of course some about the work in your Fashion Photography Portfolio you are submitting to them, that by the way need to be copies of originals. They will not accept a web page link to your website, and will require originals in your portfolio if/when calling you to come in and meet with them.
When contacting a Photo Agent or Photo Reps, it is more like an Interview where you would meet with them at their office and show them your work. You would then together agree on how to proceed, and they would explain to you how far you are in your career, and what needs to be worked on harder in order to reach your top goals as a Fashion Photographer. You would then ?get hired? and they will sell your Photos and find you Fashion Photo-Shoot gigs. It is then up to you to represent yourself as the Fashion Photographer when meeting Editors, Models and Crew. You want to be called back for another gig at every place you get one without demanding it, so work your best at all times.
You might worry over the fact of how to create a Portfolio as a starting Fashion Photographer, and there are several ways of doing so:
You can advertise for free Photo-Shoots online and Photograph upcoming Models and create a Portfolio using an editing program on your own computer.
You can get a professional Fashion Photography Portfolio made at work shops, such as the one Fashion Photographer Shaun Alexander holds to create you a Portfolio as a Fashion Photographer or Model ? check out : Photography Workshops
You can attend Schools/Classes in learning how to become a Fashion Photographer and create Connections and create a Portfolio through the people you meet. You could even try to start off as an Intern for a Fashion Magazine or Commercial Work Place to gather as much background as possible.
Good Luck Fashion Photographers, and remember to stay motivated !
By: Aileen N
06/29/11
